From displacement to hunger: How migration due to conflict affects food security in Yemen

Abstract

Background Conflict-induced migration is a key driver of global food insecurity. Over the past decade, prolonged conflicts have displaced millions of people. This crisis plunged millions into acute hunger, deepening existing vulnerabilities and severely restricting access to food and livelihoods across Yemen. Objective This study aims to investigate the relationship between conflict-induced migration and food insecurity in Yemen, focusing on how displacement exacerbates hunger and malnutrition among affected populations. Methodology This study analyzed responses from 13,891 individuals across 22 governorates, using data from the Yemen Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2022–2023. The two primary indicators of food insecurity — specifically, hunger frequency and instances of not eating for a full day — were examined. Additionally, Negative Binomial Regression was employed to model the over-dispersed count data while controlling for factors such as sex, age, education, household size, urban-rural location, and wealth. Results The findings revealed that approximately 24% of respondents experienced hunger, while about 12% went without food for an entire day. Moreover, conflict-induced migration substantially augmented the incidence of hunger (IRR = 1.262; 95% CI: 1.111–1.435) and going without eating for an entire day (IRR = 1.251; 95% CI: 1.032–1.516), though international migration to Yemen decreased food insecurity. Additionally, being female, having higher education, and belonging to wealthier households were protective factors against food insecurity, while urban residence significantly increased the likelihood of hunger (IRR=2.231; 95% CI: 1.990–2.501) and meal skipping (IRR=3.657; 95% CI: 3.086–4.335). Conclusion Conflict-induced displacement is associated with worsened food insecurity, escalating hunger, and deprivation among displaced people, underscoring the immediate necessity of targeted humanitarian interventions in Yemen. Policy measures must prioritize the re-establishment of food systems and livelihoods in affected regions to alleviate the intensifying hunger crisis.